I have this friend who is dying. A year ago she went to the doctor for her yearly physical and found out that she was healthy. A month later she had pneumonia and after a few tests she found out she had stage 4 lung cancer. From the moment she found out she was sick she took the diagnosis on full force and she refused to let the doctor tell her when she would die. She decided that she would fight the cancer with all she has and fight she HAS, she has been fighting with everything she’s got for almost a year now.
She has spent most of this past year in and out of the hospital and most of the time she has been very very sick. I have seen her take her chemo therapy bravely never once complaining and she always seems to me to be determined to not to let the cancer control her. I admire her so much because she is not just trying to live another day, but she also seems determined to live each day as a good day. No matter what setback she has she posts inspirational messages publicly praising God and thanking Him for each day, she seems to be always taking notice of the good things and always collecting each and every one of her blessings, determined not to miss a single one of them.
Lisa has been my friend since I was a young girl. She was my best friend during the disco era. We were teenagers then and we knew the words to every song on the radio and spent a lot of time singing and dancing together. We knew all the moves to every dance and we must have watched Saturday Night Fever a hundred times to get all the dance moves down pat.
We lost touch for a lot of years after we both got married, but about 6 years ago we met back up again on Facebook. Even though we both had changed and had lived totally different lives we still jumped right back into our friendship and to me it feels as if nothing has changed in our friendship when we get together. We are still comfortable together, can’t stop talking and still have this sisterly bond that will always tie us together, I love her so much.. Now days as adults we have always joked about how we will be old ladies one day and still be dancing. We occasionally post goofy dance videos on each other’s Facebook time lines.
Today as I sat with Lisa I realized that she is so sick that most likely she won’t be dancing on this earth anymore. It’s so hard for me to think about that and it makes me feel so sad as I write it here, it just seems so unfair that she has to leave so soon. I am not ready for her to leave and just can’t imagine life without her in it, we were supposed to be dancing old ladies one day. She has kids and grand kids and a husband and I feel like she is supposed to be here with them longer too…at least that’s what my brain says, but what I see with my eyes tells me differently.
I am not sure why some people get more time than others or what the reason is for all of this but it’s so hard to see her body fail her, and to have watched her health deteriorate so quickly over this past year. In only one years time her body has given out and it just seems somehow so unfair.
It is hard for her to talk because she gasps to breathe as she speaks, at one point today she whispered, “I don’t get all of this” then she just shrugged her shoulders as a look of sadness and defeat crossed her face and she turned her eyes upward as if asking God for an answer. I was at a loss of words, I because I don’t know the answer either and I agree… I also ‘don’t get all of this’ only God knows the reason for all of this. The one thing that I do know is that one day my friend will dance again and I have a feeling it’s going to be real soon that she will be dancing in Heaven. Her body may be wasting away here on earth but her new body is waiting for her in heaven. I know her new body will be strong and full of life and ready for a lot of dancing. I have a feeling when she meets Jesus she will forget all about how sick she is right now, and she will forget about having to leave anyone behind. I also have a feeling that once she meets him she will most likely ‘get all of this.’
I leave for Haiti in 2 days, it was hard to say goodbye to Lisa today, I felt as if it was probably the last time we may see each other until Heaven. I worry she may go to Heaven while I am gone and I won’t know until I get home. As I left her today she told me to come see her as soon as I get home and I promised her that I will. The selfish side of me wants her to still be here when I get back home but I also want her to be well and pain free.. I also I know that if she leaves before I return that today was not the last time I will see my friend, I know that one day I will see her again in Heaven and who knows maybe we will do a few of our old dance moves as we celebrate. I wonder if they have disco dancing in Heaven…. I sure hope so.
Me and Lisa 8th grade…Don’t you dare laugh at our goofy outfits 🙂
A Story By Me 
I don’t really know why I thought of Shakespeare as I don’t really know too much of his work … but the only words that came to me, in this case.. were ‘parting is such sweet sorrow’….I’m so sorry that your friend is so ill, and it is so hard to understand the ‘why’s’ sometimes… Thankfully she does know the Lord, and will be with Him and without pain when He does choose to take her home… Diane
LikeLiked by 2 people
I don’t know too much Shakespeare either but those words are very fitting and perfect, thank you for sharing. Also thank your for you words of kindness.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Terri I’m so sorry about your friend. My heart goes out to you & to her family, will keep you all in my prayers. I do admire her faith though, even in the tough times. That we could all have faith like that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, so much, your prayers are very much appreciated.
LikeLike
Oh Terri, I am sad with you for Lisa. True friendship is so hard to come by and is to be treasured. I will be praying not only for Lisa but for you as well. I know it is hard. God go with you to Haiti. Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your prayers and your kind words!
LikeLike
Treasure the memories you have with her. Thank God for her in your life and know you will see her again. God bless both of you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, and yes I do treasure those memories.
LikeLike
Such a beautiful, loving post for a beloved friend Terri. Always a difficult task to understand “why” in life when it make no sense to us – but He knows otherwise and strengthens us along the way. Hold on tight to the precious memories you and Lisa shared! You both will be in our prayers. Journey mercies to Haiti. Hugs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your prayers and your words, Those precious memories will be here forever, thanks.
LikeLike
It is hard for us who are left but we have Hope that the world does not have, including Shakespeare who was an Atheist but we do not judge his eternal Destiny he may have had heart repentance on his deathbed.
As you shared T, this is not the end just the beginning of a wonderful Eternity for Lisa and yes one day you will join her and all those you Love who are with The Lord and you will forever know only Joy, The Scriptures confirm we will have no memory of earth and what we suffered or remember any of those who are not in Heaven, or we would grieve..
When God created the World He said everything He made was very good, there was no sickness, no suffering, and no death, these came after the fall when Satan gained control of the earth, all Good things come from God and as the Scriptures below confirm, He does not willingly afflict us , it grieves Him to see us suffer as it grieves us to see those we Love suffering, like for me to watch Ron suffering after his Chemo each month, it’s hard for both of us.
Lamentations 3: 33 For God doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
God does not want anyone to perish, this means to be eternally seperated from Him and in a place of torment created by Satan, this is not God’s will for any of us and so He is patient, He could end the world today and there would be no more evil but He tolerates it giving those whom He knows will come to Heart repentance time to do so and not one of us will be lost, God protects our Soul, our time on earth is allotted to us before we are Born, He knows His plans for us and the time we will need.
Psalm 97:9-11 For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods. Ye that Love the Lord, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of His Saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
As God’s redeemed Children we never go through anything alone He gives us the Strength to endure and holds us close to His heart, if needed He will intervene, O how He Loves you and me.
Isaiah 43:1-3 – Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.”
Keeping you both in my Prayers T, when it’s time to say goodbye you will have the strength to do so T , God promises you this, yes you will grieve but not like the world does, you have Eternal Hope.
Christian Love Always – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for you comment and encouragement Anne. When you commented I was in Haiti and had very limited internet so was off my blog all week that is why it took me so long to reply. Lisa passed away last Friday while I was gone, though I will miss her and would love for her to be here still, I know that she is with Jesus now and no longer in pain or suffering. She is well now and one day I will see her again. Blessings to you and Ron praying every day for you both.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry T to hear about Lisa, I know you will miss her she was your very close lifelong friend but you have the right focus, she in in God’s Loving arms now and will only ever know deep abiding Joy, we are really strangers on earth our Home is in Heaven.
I knew you were away T so was not worried about the comment, I’m also behind again because of being in Hospital again with the pinched nerve, I’m still having pain but I must share with you what happened today at Funday School.
I was in pain and we were about to have singing and dancing, which the Children love and so do I , have you ever sung, ” I’m in the Lords Army or If I was a Butterfly with all the actions ?” Wow it sure gets you moving , I was worried about how I was going to join in and so I prayed, amazingly the pain disappeared while I was dancing and singing, it returned later but I was so thankful for the break and for being able to sing and dance with the children for a short time.
Blessings – Anne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is wonderful Anne, I love that your prayer was answered and you were able to dance and sing with the children, II can see your joy in my mind and it makes me smile. Also no I have not ever done those songs or as far as I know even heard them. I just read your blog from today and left you a comment there too it looks as if maybe you took a turn for the worse after this day? I hope you get well soon , praying for you!
LikeLike
As I shared on my Blog T, it was last week that I was in Hospital before Funday School on the Wednesday and it was wonderful to be able to dance with the Children again yesterday…How good is that!
I am tired though as I’m caring for a 14 year old girl who was very unhappy living with her Stepmother, she was not being properly cared for, Danielle is with me for the Next two weeks, it’s one day at a time, she is very quiet except when her girlfriend sleeps over, they giggle a lot, which is so good to hear.
I have no doubt T there will be dancing in Heaven and yes Jesus’ Light will be flashing.
Blessings – Anne
LikeLike
I am so glad that you could dance again 🙂 I will be praying for you and Danielle.
LikeLike